Do you guys remember this post from a little over a year ago? Probably not. It's a prerequisite for the one I'm writing now, so go and take a minute to get caught up to speed. I'll be here when you get back.

When spring rolled around this past year, my beloved Ralph's never opened for the season. I was crushed. There is now an awfully unnecessary late night deli (which might officially be called "late night deli" or something equally banal) in the old Ralph's corner location. It only took one summer for the war of Graham street to be over and for Uncle Louie G's to push out my dear italian ice spot. Boo. Hiss.

I swear with you as my witness, never once did I purchase ice cream from Uncle Louie G's while Ralph's was in business, pumpkin ice cream or no. I was stayed loyal till the end.

Of course the upside of all of this is that I can now eat pumpkin ice cream whenever I want and today being the first day of fall, I did just that. Nevertheless, rest in peace sweet Ralph's. Gone but not soon forgotten.

Pumpkin is my favorite too! You should try Moorenko's Pumpkin the next time you are in Maryland. [http://www.moorenkosicecream.com] it is usually sold at My Organic Market but they do have a number for ice cream emergencies if you need it.

Loyal to the end! Poor Ralph. Alas you are freed to purchase the scrumptious pumpkin ice cream. Im partial to pumpkin lattes, wait for it every year. btw, Juniors used to have delicious coffee ice cream.

Although I lament the loss of Ralph's on your behalf (I live in New Orleans and can't say I lament it on my own), I really, really loved this blog post. I'm trying desperately to be analytical about why I love it and have yet to come up with a super valid reason, but I just wanted to share that I love it. Love love love.

We have a Ralph's just about three minutes away from our house - it's a favorite treat spot for us in the summertime. Sometimes we grab the ices and drive down to the docks and catch a breeze off the ocean, sometimes we sit at the little plastic tables with umbrellas and watch the other denizens of our town enjoying their ices too.

Just had pumpkin ice cream over the weekend and it was amazing. I've never been to Uncle Louie G's, even though there is one pretty close to my house. Ralph's however, is a real haunt of mine. The original Ralph's (opened in 1928!) is also close to my home - I think your Ralph's post was the first one I read on your blog. I found it interesting that some of your family lived in Staten Island (your Dad, I think?) - I wonder if they ever frequented Ralph's?

you convinced me go back and read that previous post, I think it was that big scoop of ice-cream, so I went to read it and learned that water ice was suppose to be delicious. but now learned that Ralph is closed. ohh boo. hoo.